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Security Council is gripped by deep division of opinion among the Big Five on Iranian nuclear issue. It is heading towards polarization if no breakthrough emerges in coming days.

US is determined to rope in some of her European allies for a final showdown with Iran. On the other hand, the Iranian President, in a bravado of sorts, shrugs off the responsibilities that naturally fall on the shoulders of top leadership of an important strategic country. This eye- ball to eye- ball confrontational stance needs to be defused.

Russia has been trying for a negotiated deal with Iran. So far success has eluded these efforts but Moscow has not lost all hopes. Moving a step forward, it has announced that it would help Iran in the enrichment of uranium for civilian purpose. China not favouring any military action against Iran has chosen not to issue policy statements and to wait and watch the situation. That is Beijing's classical diplomatic stance.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's second roundtable on Kashmir is scheduled for May 2006 in Srinagar; the first took place at New Delhi in February last.

No representative of the separatist groups, except Hashim Qureshi had participated in the New Delhi meet. They had announced their boycott in advance.

In one of my recent articles in these columns dealing with tenuous Nepal political situation, I had promised to tell readers some insides about New Delhi's betrayal of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947.

I am not recounting this story as a pro-royalist: I have no sympathy with autocrats wherever they are. Likewise, I have never been an admirer of Maharaja Hari Singh. Let this be clear to the readers at the very outset.

Much has to be done to put an end to the alienation of the people of Kashmir. A decade and half of insurgency and counter insurgency has intermittently thrown up many ugly situations in which both physical and emotional alienation took its toll. No state can afford to leave a chunk of its citizenry alienated for one reason or the other.

The recent letter of J&K Chief Minister to the CMs of no fewer than 11 states entreating them to deal with Kashmir traders and students with dignity and consideration is one more step in the direction of wooing the alienated people.

The CM has strong argument to take this rather unusual step. He is said to have received reports that the traders from the valley who travel far and wide in the country during winter months for trading Kashmir handicrafts and Kashmiri students who have sought admission in different educational institutions in the country are reported to be put under surveillance by the local police and intelligence outfits. In the process, they feel they are subjected to unnecessary questioning and investigation.

Recently uncovered sex scandal has rocked the city of Srinagar. A totally unacceptable social evil like this one has to be eradicated lock, stock and barrel.

Societies as these have evolved are ridden with aberrations and infirmities. There is hardly a civil society in the world, which can claim to be all virtue and no vice. But then the guardians of social behavior cannot allow the aberration go unchecked.

One feels that the sex scandal in Srinagar has been politicized rather than socialized. Many political strings are being pulled while demanding investigation.

Indian President has returned the OBC reservation bill, which the parliament had sent in for his assent. The government is obliged to send the bill to the president when the parliament passes it with a majority vote.

Under constitutional provision, the President has a right to return the bill to the government if he wants clarification in part or in whole or if he has questions on the impact of the bill on various segments of society. Obviously, the President has some doubts and some questions. He has suggested some amendments to the draft bill.

The EU envoy had a two-hour long meeting with the Iranian nuclear negotiator Larijani in Tehran. No side is expected to make public the contours of the talks.

Iran has one disadvantage and the western powers plus the US have so far avoided that pitfall. Iran has taken a stance, whipped up public euphoria and got caught up in the mess. Retracing her steps would mean not only hurt ego but also a prospect of political uncertainty.

The US has been holding a stick and a carrot policy towards Iran whereas the three European powers, UK, France and Germany took recourse to astute diplomacy in dealing with the nuclear issue. Russia and China have been holding an olive branch to Teheran.

On June 18, 2006 Indian and Chinese senior officials met in Beijing to discuss among other bilateral matters the question of setting a date for the opening of Nathu La. The historic event is scheduled to take place this month (June 2006)...

Though Sino-Indian détente could be traced to 1975, yet the visit of the former Prime Minster A.B. Vajpayee to Beijing in 2003 remains a definite landmark in a bid to straighten relations between the two countries. India took a long time to arrive at this stage of mutual relations just because of Beijing's continued military support to Pakistan unmindful of its anti-India implications...

15 June 2006 summit meet of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is variously interpreted in political circles. In Washington inquisitive circles would want to know if it is the Chinese version of the now - defunct Warsaw Pact to counter NATO?

As Chinese troops crossed and routed Indian border post in North East in 1962 war, President Kennedy began responding to Nehru's startling request for military equipment. He sounded Pakistan not try to fish in troubled waters by contemplating indirect support to China in opening another front with India on her western border. Ayub Khan responded that such a commitment was contingent upon a just solution of Kashmir issue. Pakistan always hinged Indo-Pak relations to Kashmir.